IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! — A few highlights from the Detroit Auto Show

January 23, 2017

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!

A few highlights from the Detroit Auto Show

by Jim Corbran, Automotive Columnist

Or, as it’s formally known, the North American International Automobile Show….

Who says station wagons are dead? Volvo just introduced the sumptuous V90 (right), which will be available as a 2018 model. The Swedish carmaker has a long tradition of building station wagons, going back to the Duett back in 1953. The V90 will be equipped with a 12” touchscreen, open-pore wood trim, and Nappa leather. It will be available in both FWD and AWD versions, and will be sold exclusively as custom order vehicles…

Ford’s F-150 (right)isn’t resting on its laurels, as the 2018 model has been restyled with new grilles, headlights, and bumpers which will help differentiation between the series. In the rear, both the tailgate and taillamps are redesigned. An all-new 3.3L V6 is standard, and an all-new 2.7L EcoBoost is optional — paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission…

It wouldn’t be Detroit without at least one super-sleek concept car, and for me Nissan’s Vmotion 2.0 (left) fills the bill. You’ve gotta love the roof and side glass treatments. Nissan characterizes them as a “floating roof” with “wrap-around rear glass and floating c-pillar (which) provides(s) an impression of intelligent and efficient aerodynamics.” Gee, I hope it’s not just an impression…

The Chevrolet Traverse (right) will be all-new for 2018, wrapped, as Chevy tells us, in “bold and refined styling.” The look was inspired by the Silverado pickup, and will be offered in two new additional trim levels: the sporty RS and the luxurious High Country. Its new longer wheelbase means there will be available seating for up to eight…Audi’s mid-sized SQ5 SUV (left)has also been given the once-over for 2018. Under the hood will be a 3.0L engine putting out 354 hp, while Audi’s quattro® AWD system will help keep the rubber on the road. An increase in the wheelbase makes for more rear seat legroom, while on the exterior, three-dimensional LED headlamps will light the way.

VW’s I.D. BUZZ concept (shown at right with the original Microbus) is the latest in a line of teases by Volkswagen. For years many have been awaiting the reincarnation of the venerable VW Station Wagon, popularly know as the Bus. The I.D. BUZZ is an all-electric, zero emissions, all-wheel drive vehicle which VW itself has labeled “a Microbus for the future.” This might be the coolest one yet to come down the pike. A driving range up to 270 miles, seating for up to eight, and two motors which will produce 369 hp. Is this the one which will finally go into production?

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